|
A new Cup is been touted by the Welsh FA and the Republic of Ireland are to be invited to replace England . The Welsh FA secretary David Collins has said that discussions have taken place and that the tournament may be up and running by 2009.
"It is only at the discussion stage. There are things we need to talk about further," said Collins. "I repeat that things are only provisional at this stage.
"But, if we could pull it off, the interest would be enormous. For fans, the TV companies and potential sponsors, a Celtic Cup tournament would be huge."
The newly named competition will be called the 'Celtic Cup' every two years with a knock-out round followed by title match and play-off. The first semi-finals are to be in August 2009 with a final and third-place play-off in February 2010.
The Football Association of Wales, Scottish Football Association, and the two Irish associations are all understood to be keen on the idea.
"Things are provisional, but if we could pull this off, the interest would be enormous," said David Collins. "For the fans, the TV companies and potential sponsors, a Celtic Cup tournament would be huge.
"And for the managers of the respective teams it would be an opportunity to look at players in competitive friendlies.
"We are quite positive about the whole thing, although we appreciate a huge amount of work is needed before it could get off the ground. "But the Celtic countries have had a meeting about it and we each decided to go away and work out ways whereby the tournament could be possible."
England have not been excluded from discussions but, with the Football Association cool on the idea, the Football Association of Ireland were asked to consider being involved.
Collins added: "Their reasons for ending the old Home Internationals are well known. "On the other hand, if we can get the tournament up and running and convince England there are practical solutions to the various issues, then they might want to become involved, anyway."